No river has kindled Man's imagination like the Ganges. From its icy origins high in the Himalayas, this sacred river flows through the holy cities and the great plains of northern India to the Bay of Bengal. In a country where the red heat of summer inspires prayer for the coming monsoon, the life-giving waters of the Ganges have assumed legendary powers in the form of the Hindu goddess Ganga, the source of creation and abundance. Pilgrims flock to her shores to cleanse and purify themselves, to cure ailments, and to die that much closer to paradise. Steven Darian writes of the human experience and the legendary myths that surround the Ganges. While collecting material for this book, Dr. Darian lived by the Ganges, explored her shores, and was a pilgrim to the Ganga Sagar festival at Sagar Island off Calcutta where the sacred river and the ocean merge.
About the Author:
Steven G. Darian, professor of Linguistics and comparative literature at Rutgers University, holds a doctorate in linguistics from New Yor University and degrees in applied linguistics, Asian studies, and creative writing. He taught at Columbia University and with the Columbia Educational Project in Afghanistan and has contributed to major professional journals. His previous book was English as a Foreign Language.
Reviews:
''This book offers a wealth of information about the geography, history, and religious significance of the Ganga. It is important both as a scholarly study and as a work of interpretation that explores the hidden relationships between Indian art and religion. But thanks to his deep love for his subject and his excellent literary gifts, Dr. Darian has also conveyed something of the grandeur and poetry of the Ganga to his readers. And, indirectly, nearly all aspects of India`s history and culture are touched on in these pages, reflected in the clear sunlit waters of the sacred river.'' - A. L. Basham
''This is the fruit of Prof. Steven G.Darian`s hard labour and study of Indian history and mythology. He is successful to bring a sound study of the most sacred river to the Hindus.'' - Kalyan Bharati
The author has taken pains to collect the facts from every possible source to give authentic information regarding the holy river Ganga. His style, language and critical intelligence make the book interesting, informative and piece of classical standard. - Praci -Jyoti, Digest of Indological studies, Vols. xxxv-xxxvi (1999-2000)
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